Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many current Ministers in (1) the House of Lords, and (2) the House of Commons, are unpaid; why there is a difference in the proportions of those who are paid and unpaid in each House; and whether the relative personal financial needs of potential Ministers is considered before decisions are taken over which Ministers are paid.

There are currently three House of Commons Ministers and eight House of Lords Ministers who are unpaid.

Ministerial appointments are at the discretion of the Prime Minister within the legislative limits set out in The Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975 and The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.